Hodgson admits lack of attacking edge

01 April 2012 08:44

Roy Hodgson admits his side lacked any sort of attacking edge in front of goal yesterday as Albion were beaten 2-0 by in form Everton.

Leon Osman’s deflected effort gave the hosts the lead in the first half before second half substitute sealed the points with a goal in the 69th minute.

Albion matched the hosts for long periods but struggled to test Tim Howard in the Everton goal or create any significant chances.

"We missed a cutting edge today," said Hodgson.

"We worked hard after going behind to a somewhat unfortunate deflected goal.

"I thought we got ourselves back in the game quite well and could have had an equaliser by half-time.

"It was going to be important to carry that on in the second half but the second goal killed that off and gave Everton the confidence they needed to keep the ball and punish us on the counter-attack.

"I thought we threw players forward but we didn't keep the ball well enough and didn't create enough chances.

"In throwing players forward to get back into it, we left ourselves open to the counter-attack.

"In the end, we were thankful to some very good defending by Jonas Olsson and goalkeeping by Ben Foster to keep it at two.

"But I didn't think there was very much to choose between the two sides. I thought we were doing okay."

Hodgson also gave his reaction to the incident which saw goalkeeper Ben Foster and Peter Odemwingie go head to head as tempers boiled over.

The Baggies boss believes the incident was nothing more than an example of emotions boiling over, but did say the striker was in the wrong.

"To be fair, Peter needs to question himself," said the Albion boss.

"He wasn't doing the job he was told to do.

"We knew about Everton's short corners and we made it clear before the game that we wanted him to go out and take the player who was looking to receive the short corner, and that he would be joined by Billy Jones to make it two against two.

"He didn't do it and he didn't like the fact he was told about it by Ben.

"But, of course, in Peter's defence, he worked very hard in the game.

"It's an emotional game.

"That late on, we were staring at a defeat and sometimes people react in those situations.

"It's a storm in a teacup and didn't have any repercussions in the dressing room at all.

"That's the most important thing."

Do you think the incident will affect Albion's team spirit? Have your say here at WBA-MAD's fans' forum Baggies Banter.